So, the #BKR06 Quarterly boxes are shipping soon, and most of the bookish internet already knows what was in #BKR05, but I’ve shown you the last two boxes I received and shared my impressions, so might as well keep the streak going (and hopefully I get this post up before the next box is on my doorstep!).  #BRK05 was all about the anti-heroine, which is a pretty neat premise.  Here’s what I received:

• Helen Oyemi’s novel Mr. Fox.
• Original essay by Oyemi.
• Ms. Marvel comic with a note from G. Willow Wilson.
• Shakespeare candy.
• Litographs temporary tattoos.
• Unpictured “BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS” ski hat, which is currently living in my mudroom because I am wearing the bejeezes out of it.

So, thoughts about this one… meh.  I really like the hat (which I forgot to put in the picture, d’oh) and it’s been nice to have in this frigid cold we’ve been experiencing.  The Shakespeare candy isn’t bad, and I will probably wear the temporary tattoos, maybe while I’m on maternity leave and don’t have to worry about office dress codes.  (I like Litographs and am looking forward to getting one of their cool literary t-shirts when I lose the Nugget cushioning.)  I hadn’t had Mr. Fox on my to-read list, but I’ve heard it’s wonderful and I’ll definitely read it (someday, eventually).  The comic does nothing for me.  The Book Riot editors – and the bookish internet in general, it seems – have all fallen head-over-heels for comics and graphic novels recently, but I have to say I’m just not interested.  I skip the Book Riot Twitter posts about new comics finds and my eyes glaze over when a book blogger starts sharing their newfound love of comics.  I’m sure someone will think I’m close-minded as a result, but the fact is, I have very limited free time (something I’ve been whining about ad nauseum over here, so I’m sure you’re all tired of hearing it) and reading comics is not how I choose to spend the couple of minutes I get to myself each day (if I’m lucky).  Usually I’m willing to trust Book Riot and at least give their recommendations a chance, but I have to be completely honest and say I have no intention of reading “Ms. Marvel.”  I’m sure that it’s a great comic if you’re into comics, but I’m not into them and not going to be into them and there it is.

#BKR05 was the third Quarterly box in my subscription of four, and after giving it some thought I’ve concluded that, unless #BRK06 knocks my socks off in a BIG way, I’m probably not going to renew my subscription.  I still think the concept is really cool, but each box costs $50 and I just haven’t gotten $50 worth of enjoyment out of any of the boxes, with the possible exception of #BKR04 (although the water bottle ended up kind of flimsy and Peanut broke it).  Right now, I’m thinking that if I’m going to spend $50 on books and bookish goodies (easy to do) I’d rather choose them myself.  Of course, I could change my mind if #BKR06 ends up being the most amazing thing I’ve ever received, but as of this moment I suspect it will be my last Book Riot box.  I really enjoy the site, but I the Quarterly boxes have been a mixed bag for me.

Did you get the #BKR05 Quarterly box?  Did you like it?  Are you a comics fan?